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Stereo Isomerism
Stereochemistry deals with the spatial arrangements of atoms (or) groups of atoms in molecules in
three dimensions.
Because of the tetrahedral arrangement of bonds to carbon, the given two compounds with the same
structure may be different when the arrangement of their atoms in space is different.
Molecules that have the same constitution but differ in the spatial arrangement of their atoms or
groups of atoms are called Stereoisomers and the phenomenon is called Stereoisomerism.
Stereoisomers are of two types. They are
(1) Configurational isomers
(2) Conformational isomers.
Configurational isomers differ from conformations.
In configurational isomers type the isomers posses certain types of rigity in the molecules and these
can be interconverted by bond breaking and reforming of covalent bonds.
In conformational isomers type the isomers are simply inter converted by rotation about bonds.
Configurational isomers are stereoisomers and they can be classified in to two types. They are
(1) Geometrical isomers (2) Optical isomers.
Geometrical Isomers Geometrical isomerism :
Ethene is an alkene which contains only two carbons with molecular formula C2H4.
Propene is three carbon alkene with molecular formula C3H6.
C4H8 is a four carbon alkene which has 4 different structures. They are

H CH2CH3

C=C 1 - Butene
H H
H CH3

C=C 2 - Methyl propene

H CH3
CH3 CH3

C=C Cis - 2 - Butene

H H
3HC
H

C=C Trans - 2 - Butene

H CH3

1 Butene and Cis 2- Butene differ in the position of double bond and they are position isomers.
1 Butene and 2 Methyl propene differ in the carbon chain length and they are chain isomers.
These position isomers and chain isomers are called structural isomers because their atoms are
bonded in different structures.

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 Organic Chemistry
Cis 2 Butene and Trans 2 Butene have an unbranched carbon chain with a double bond
between C 2 and C 3 and their atoms are bonded in the same structure.
The isomer which has both of its methyl groups on the same side of the double bond and it is called
cis-isomer. i.e. Cis 2 Butene.
The isomer which has its methyl groups opposite sides of the double bond is called trans-isomer.
i.e. trans 2 Butene.
Therefore Cis-2-Butene and Trans-2-Butene are stereoisomers because they have same constitution
(or) structure but they differ by arrangement of their atoms (or) groups in space.
Stereoisomers of the cis-trans type are also called as geometrical isomers and this phenomenon is
called geometrical isomerism (or) cis-trans isomerism.
Geometrical isomerism is due to fixed geometry around C = C.
This geometrical isomerism is not possible in alkenes if one of the doubly bonded carbon bears two
identical substituents.
i.e. 1 Butene and 2 Methyl propene.
Due to restricted rotation of C = C bond which requires high activation energy i.e. 250 kJ/mole
for rotation, two possible arrangements of groups attached to the doubly bonded carbon atoms are
possible which results cis-trans isomers.
Geometrical isomerism requires the two groups attached to the same carbon to be different.
Alkenes of the type,
abC = Cab
abC = Ccd
abC = Cax
abC = Cbx shows this type of isomerism.
Compounds of the following type will not show geometrical isomerism.

a x x a a x
C=C C=C C=C
a y a a a x
(i) (ii) (iii)
Some examples of the molecules showing geometrical isomerism are,
H H H Cl

(i) C=C C=C

Cl Cl Cl H
Cis-1, 2-dichloroethene Trans-1, 2 dichloro ethene
H H H COOH

(ii) C=C C=C

HOOC COOH HOOC H
Maleic acid (Cis isomer) Fumaric acid (Trans isomer)
Naming of Stereoisomeric alkenes by the E Z notational system :
When the substituents on either end of the double bond are the same (or) structurally same it is
easier to describe the configuration of molecules as cis (or) trans.

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 Organic Chemistry
CH3(CH2)6CH2 CH2(CH2)6COOH C6H5 H
C=C C=C
H H H CHO
Cis-oleic acid Trans-cinnamal-dehyde

When three (or) four different groups attached to the carbon atoms of a double bond E Z system
is followed
a c
C=C
b d
E Z system is based on atomic number ranking method.
According to this when atoms of higher atomic number are on the same side of the double bond is
called as Z configuration [Zusammen which means together].
When the atoms of higher atomic number are on opposite sides of the double bond it is said to be
called as E configuration. [Entgegen which means opposite]
Rules for the priorities of atoms (or) groups :
If the four atoms attached to the double bonded carbon atoms are different priority depends on the
atomic number. i.e. the atom with higher atomic number gets high priority.
Example : I > Br > Cl > F
If two isotopes of same element are present, the isotope of higher mass number gets the higher
priority.
Example : Deuterium gets priority over hydrogen.
If two atoms are identical, the atomic numbers of the next atoms are considered for priority.
Example : If CH3 and C2H5 are attached C2H5 gets higher priority because atoms attached to first
carbon are C, H and H where as in CH3 group atoms attached are H, H and H only.
When there is a double bond (or) triple bond, both atoms are considered to be duplicated (or)
triplicated. Example :
x C
| | | |
C = x equal to C x ; C x equal to C x
| | | |
x C x C
Some examples : Cl Br
(1) This is Z configuration because 17Cl and 35Br with higher atomic C=C
number are on the same side of the double bond compared to 1H and 9F at
H F
carbons. 'Z' configuration

This is E configuration because higher atomic groups 17Cl and 35Br are on Cl F
opposite sides of the double bond. C=C
H Br
'E' configuration
(2) This is Z configuration because 35Br has first priority than 17Cl and 6C of Br CH3
methyl has higher priority than 1H. Therefore higher priority groups 35Br C=C
and 6C of CH3 are on same side.
Cl H
'Z' configuration

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 Organic Chemistry
Br CH3
(3) This is E configuration because 35Br has higher priority than 17Cl and
ethyl [C(C, H, H)] has higher priority than methyl C=C
[C(H, H, H)]. Cl CH2CH3
'E' configuration
Higher priority groups are opposite side.
Order of priority of some groups.
C2H5 > CH3
C(CH3)3 > CH(CH3)2 > CH2CH3
C(C, C, C) > C(C, C, H) > C(C, H, H)
Br CH2CH2OH
(4) In this structure 35Br has higher priority than 17Cl and CH(CH3)2 [C(C,
C, H)] has higher priority than CH2CH2OH [C(C, H, H)]. It is E C=C
configuration because higher priority groups are opposite side of carbon Cl CH(CH3)2
atoms. 'E' configuration
(5) In this structure 35Br has higher priority than 17Cl and CH2OH [C(O, H, Br CH2OH
H)] has higher priority than C(CH3)3 [C(C, C, C)]. It is Z
C=C
configuration because higher priority groups are on same side of carbon
Cl C(CH3)3
atoms.
'Z' configuration

(6) In this structure 35Br has higher priority than 17Cl and C = O [C(O, O, Br CH2OH
|
H C=C
H)] has higher priority group than CH2OH[C(O,H, H)]. It is E Cl C =O
configuration because higher priority group are opposite side of carbon
H
atoms.
'E' Configuration

Br CH = CH2
(7) In this structure 35Br has higher priority than 17Cl and vinyl (CH = C=C
C C Cl CH(CH3)2
|
CH2) C C has higher priority than isopropyl CH(CH3)2 'Z' Configuration
|

H
C(H,H,H)
|
C C(H, H,H) . It is Z configuration because higher priority groups are on same side of carbon
|

H
atoms.
OPTICAL ISOMERISM :
The compounds having same molecular formula and almost having the same physical and chemical
properties but differ in the rotation of plane polarized light are called optical isomers and the
phenomenon is called optical isomerism.
A molecule which is non superimposable on its mirror image is Chiral (or) dissymmetric.
A molecule which is super imposable on its mirror image is Achiral.
To exhibit optical isomerism the compound must contain one asymmetric carbon.

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 Organic Chemistry
According to Vant Hoff an organic molecule is asymmetric if one of the carbon atoms has four
different groups around it.
In 2-Bromobutane carbon atom contains four different groups (or) atoms H, Br, CH3 and C2H5.
CH3 CH3 C2H5

C2H5 C Br Br C C2H5 CH3 C Br

180
H H
H
A (Mirror plane) B B'

The mirror image of A is B. If B is reoriented by rotating through 180 B is formed.

If A and B are compared in A ethyl group is pointing towards the observer while in B the ethyl
group is pointing away. Hence A and B are non-superimposable and this molecule is a chiral
molecule.
The stereoisomers that are related as an object and it is non-superimposable mirror image are called
enantiomers.
Therefore in the above structures A and B are enantiomers.
Bromo chlorofluoro methane molecule is also an example of a chiral molecule.
In 2-Bromopropane carbon atom contains H, Br, CH3 and CH3.
CH3 CH3 CH3

3HC C Br Br C CH3 H3C C Br

180
H H
H
A (Mirror plane) B B'

A and B are mirror image forms of 2-Bromo propane.

If B is reoriented by rotating through 180C B is formed.
A and B are super imposable because the substituents at C2 are same. They are CH3 and CH3.
Hence it is achiral molecule.
Enantiomers (or) non super imposable mirror images posses same physical properties like M.P.,
B.P., refractive index but differ in their action towards plane of polarised light.
Plane polarised light and optical activity :
An ordinary light is an electromagnetic wave has its photons vibrating in all the directions
perpendicular to the path of its propagation.
If this ordinary light is passed through a Nicol prism the transmitted light photons posses vibrations
only in one perpendicular direction to the path of propagation.
This type of light which has its photons vibrating only one perpendicular direction to the path of
propagation is called plane polarised light.
A Nicol prism made from a special crystalline form of calcium carbonate. i.e. Calcite.

Ordinary light Nikcol prism Plane polarised

waves vibrating in waves vibrating in
all directions one directions

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 Organic Chemistry
Certain organic compounds, when their solutions are placed in the path of plane polarized light,
they rotating its plane through a certain angle which may be either to the left or to the right.

Plane rotated to the Plane polarized Plane rotated to the

right light left
(Dextro rotation +) (Laevo rotation )
The property of a substance of rotating the plane polarized light is called optical activity.
The substances which are possessing optical activity are called as optical active compounds.
The observed rotation of the plane polarized light in polarimeter produced by a solution depends on
(i) The amount of the substance in tube.
(ii)On the length of the solution examined.
(iii) The temperature of the experiment.
(iv) The wavelength of the light used.
For the measurement of optical rotations a term specific rotation is introduced.
Specific rotation is a physical constant characteristic of a substance as much as the melting point,
boiling point, density, refractive index etc.
The number of degrees of rotation was observed when light is passed through 1 decimeter
(10 centrimeters) of its solution having concentration 1 gram per millilitre is known as specific
rotation.
The specific rotation of a given substance can be calculated by using the following expression.
(obs)
[]T =
length of the tube concentration of
solution (gm.lit 1 )
T = temperature
= wavelength, their values to be mentioned
(obs)
(or) []Dt =
AC
where []Dt = stands for specific rotation determined at tC and using D-line of sodium light.
(obs) = It is observed angle of rotation.
A = Length of the solution in decimetres.
C = Concentration of the active compound in grams per millilitre.
Example 1 : The specific rotation of amyl alcohol (or) 2-methyl-1-butanol at 25C for D-line of
sodium light is []D25C = 5.756 .
The sign attached with the angle of rotation signifies the direction of rotation. Negative ()
indicates that the rotation is toward the left i.e.Levo rotation.
Example 2 : The specific rotation of chloroform is []D25C = +24.7 .
Positive sign (+) indicates the direction of rotation is towards right i.e. Dextro rotation.
The rotation may be different in different solvents. It must be mentioned while reporting the
specific rotation.
Racemic mixture, Racemic modification :
All the optically active substances can exists in
3 forms.

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 Organic Chemistry
Substances which are rotating the plane of polarized light to the left. This form is named as
Laevorotatory (or) form.
Substances which are rotating the plane of polarized light to the right. This form is named as Dextro
rotatory (or) + form.
Substances which shows zero optical activity (or) which does not rotate the plane of polarized light
at all. This is a mixture of equal amount of (+) dextro and () Laevo forms.
A mixture of equal amounts of dextro (+) and Laevo () forms is named () mixture (or) Racemic
mixture (or) Racemic modification.
The process of convertion of an enantiomer into a Racemic mixture is called Racemisation.
An asymmetric molecule should not posses any element of symmetry such as centre of symmetry,
axis of symmetry, alternating axis of symmetry (or) plane of symmetry.
The process of separating Dextro and Laevo forms from Racemic mixture is called resolution.
The isomers which are not mirror images and non super imposable are called diastereomers.
Resolution of a Racemic mixture with an enantiomer of some other compound gives diastereomers.
Diastereomers have different melting points, boiling points and solubility etc.
Example : Racemic mixture of carboxylic acid () A is treated with an amino acid base (+B)
enantiomer giving (+)A (+)B, ()A (+)B two salts which are diastereomers. These are separated by
treating with conc.HCl. So that, we will get (+)A, ()A. It can be represented as follows.
( )A + ( + )B
( + )A( + )B + ( )A( + )B
Carboxylic acid Amino base acid salts
(Racemic mixture)

( + )A +BHCl ( + )A( + )B + ( )A( + )B

HCl
( )A + +BHCl

(+) A Dextro form

() A Laevo form
These diastereomers differ from physical properties, rate of formation, easyness of crystallisation,
solubility etc.
Fischer projection formulae :
To represent three dimentional structures on a two dimentional surface Fischer projection formulae
were proposed.
In Fischer projection formulae the molecule is oriented in such a way that
(i) The vertical bonds at the stereogenic center are directed away form the viewer horizontal bonds
point towards him.
(ii)If the carbon chain is more than one carbon atom, the chain is written vertically.
(iii) The stereogenic carbon (or) other carbon atoms of the chain are the centre of crosses and
are not shown through symbols but understood.
Ex1: Bromo chloro fluoromethane is shown as
H
Br Cl

F
Fischer projection formula
Ex2.
Fischer projection formula for glyceraldehyde

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 Organic Chemistry
CHO
CHO
CHOH is H OH

CH2OH CH2OH

In this formula the horizontal bonds i.e. C OH and C H projects towards us out of the plane of
the paper, where as the vertical bonds i.e.C CHO and C CH2OH project away from us.
Absolute and relative configurations :
The three dimentional arrangement of atoms or groups at asymmetric carbon atom is called its
absolute configuration.
Neither the sign nor the magnitude of rotation by itself provides any information about absolute
configuration of a substance.
H H
C 2H 5 OH and HO C 2H 5

CH 3
CH 3
absolute configurations of 2-Butanol.
These absolute configurations cannot give any additional information about them. i.e. Whether it is
(+) 2 Butanol (or) () 2-Butanol.
But we will know some information about the above molecule experimentally through chemical
inter conversion.
Ex. When (+) 3-Butene-2-ol is hydrogenated the product formed is 2-Butanol.
* HC = CH + H
CH3 CH Pd
* CH CH
CH3 CH In this conversion same sign of identical
2 2 2 3
| |
OH OH
27 27
( + )3 Butene 2ol [ ]D =+33.2 2Bu tanol [ ]D =+13.5

configuration is known.
In some conversions the same relative configuration could have opposite sign of optical rotation.
Ex. CH3 CH2 CH CH2OH + HBr CH3 CH2 CH CH2Br + H2O
| |
CH3 CH3
25 =5.8
2-Methyl-1-Butanol[ ]D 1-Bromo-2-methyl butane [ ]D25 =+4.0

After the determination of absolute configuration of (+) tartaric acid the absolute configurations of
all compounds whose configurations had been similar to (+) tartaric acid were established.
The Cahn-Ingold-Prelog-R-S notational system :
This is newer and more systematic method of specifying absolute configuration to optically active
compounds.
This system is based on actual three dimentional (or) tetrahedral structure of the compound. It has
certain rules.
Identify the substituents at asymmetric carbon and arrange them in order of priority i.e. from
highest atomic number to lowest atomic number.
H
Ex. H5C 2 OH (+) 2-Butanol CH3
(2)
CH3 CH2 OH(1)
Order of priority of groups is :
OH > CH2CH3 > CH3 > H
CH3(3)

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 Organic Chemistry
The molecule is oriented so that the lowest priority group is far away from the viewer. i.e. H
atom.
The remaining three higher priority groups are written as they appear to the viewer with lowest
priority group far away.
If the eye while moving from 1 2 3 travels in a clockwise direction (or) right hand direction
then the absolute configuration is R(Latin, Rectus=right)
If the eye while moving from 1 2 3 travels in clockwise (or) left-hand direction the
configuration is designated as S (Latin, Sinister = Left)
CH3
(2)
CH2 OH(1) (1) OH CH2CH3
(2)
S-2-Butanol
R-2-Butanol
CH3(3) CH3(3)
(S) - (+) - 2-Butanol (R) - ( ) - 2-Butanol
D and L system :
The sign of rotation of plane polarized light by an enantiomer cannot be easily related to either its
absolute or relative configuration.
Compounds with similar configuration at the asymmetric carbon atom may have opposite sign of
rotations and compounds with different configuration may have same sign of rotation.
Ex. d-lactic acid with specific rotation +3.82 gives L-methyl lactate with a specific rotation 8.25,
although the configuration (or) arrangement or groups about the asymmetric carbon atom remains
the same during the change.
COOH COOH
H OH HO H

CH3 CH3
d-lactic acid (+ 3.82) l -methyl lactate ( 8.25)

From this we found that no relation between configuration and sign of rotation. Therefore D, L
system is used to specify the configuration at the asymmetric carbon.
In this system the configuration of an enantiomer is related to a standard compound,
glyceraldehyde.
The two forms of glyceraldehyde are as follows :
CHO CHO
H OH HO H

CH2OH CH2OH
D-(+) glyceraldehyde L( ) glyceraldehyde
(D configuration) (L configuration)

If the configuration at the asymmetric carbon atom of a compound is related to D-glyceraldehyde it

belongs to D-series.
If the configuration at the asymmetric carbon atom of a compound is related to L-glyceradehyde it
belongs to L-series.
Ex. Natural alanine (2-amino propanoic acid)
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 Organic Chemistry

COOH COOH
H NH2 2HN H

CH3 CH3
D- (+) 2-amino propanoic acid L( ) 2-amino propanoic acid
(D series) (L series)
Note :
For -amino acid compounds NH2 COOH, R and H groups at asymmetric carbon atom are
related to OH, CHO, CH2OH and H respectively of glyceraldehyde.
Some other examples :
1) Glucose :
CHO CHO
H OH HO H
HO H H OH
H OH HO H
H OH HO H
CH2OH CH2OH
D(+)-glucose L( )-glucose
(D series) (L series)

2) Serine :
COOH COOH
H NH2 2HN H

CH2OH CH2OH
D(+)-Serine L( )-Serine
(D series) (L series)
Optical Isomerism in compounds with more than one chiral centres (or) asymmetric carbon atom
:
A molecule with a chiral carbon atom has two enantiomers.
A molecule with two asymmetric carbon atoms forms 4 stereoisomers.
In general for a molecule with n asymmetric carbons there can be maximum of 2n stereoisomers.
Ex. 2, 3 dihydroxybutanoic acid

CH3 CH CH COOH
4 3 2 1

OH OH
2, 3 carbon atoms are asymmetric.
This molecule forms 4 stereoisomers as follows :

COOH COOH COOH COOH

H OH HO H H OH HO H
H OH HO H HO H H OH

CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

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 Organic Chemistry

i and iv structures have same constitution but differ in the arrangement of atoms (or) groups.
i and ii are enantiomers.
iii and iv are enantiomers.
i and iii are diastereomers.
ii and iv are diastereomers.
i and iv are diastereomers.
ii and iii are diastereomers.
If like substituents are on the same side of the Fischer projection formula that isomer is called
Erythro diastereomer.
If like substituents are on the opposite side that isomer is called threodiastereomer.
In above structures
i and ii are Erythrodiastereomers.
iii and iv are Threodiastereomers.
Chiral molecules with two stereogenic centres :
Suppose if we take 2, 3-butanediol we have only three stereoisomers but not four isomers. They are
CH3 CH3 CH3

HO H H OH H OH
H OH HO H H OH

CH3 CH3 CH3

(i) (ii) (iii)
(2R, 3R) (2S, 3S) Meso -
2, 3 - butanediol 2, 3 - butanediol 2, 3 - butanediol

(2R, 3R) 2, 3 butane diol and (2S, 3S) 2, 3 butane diol forms are enantiomers. They are equal but
have optical rotations.
The third configuration (2R, 3S) however has an achiral structure and it is super imposable on its
(2S, 3R) mirror image.
The third configuration has achiral structure and it is optically inactive.
The achiral molecules that have stereogenic centres are called mesoforms.
In structure iii dotted line represents plane of symmetry.
A meso compound is an optically inactive stereoisomer which is achiral due to the presence of an
internal plane of symmetry.
A meso compound is inactive due to its one half is dextrorotary and other half is laevorotatory. So
that its optical activity was cancelled.
When two optically inactive compounds react no optical active compound is formed.
When two optically inactive compounds react in the presence of a catalyst which is optically active
an optical active compound is formed.
Applications :
Stereochemistry plays an important role in studying biological processes and chemical reactions.
It helps in deciding the physiological properties of compounds.
Ex. (1) (+) Nicotine is less toxic than () Nicotine.
(2) (+) Adrenaline is very active in the construction of blood vessels than () Adrenaline.

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